Abstract: Techniques are described for detecting a conversation between at least two people, and for reducing noise during the conversation. In certain embodiments, at least one speech metric is generated based on spectral analysis of an audio signal and is used to determine that the audio signal represents speech from a first person. Responsive to determining that the speech is part of a conversation between the first person and a second person an operating state of a device in a physical environment is adjusted such that a volume level of sound contributed by or associated with the device is reduced. The sound contributed by or associated with the device corresponds to noise, at least for the duration of the conversation. Therefore, reducing the volume level of sound contributed by or associated with the device reduces the overall noise level in the environment, resulting in a reduction in conversational effort.